Car-coupling tool



(Mode1.)

W. J. RILEY.

GAR COUPLING TOOL.

No. 268,726. I Patented Sept. :5, 188 2.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. RILEY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

CAR-COUPLING TOOL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Iietters Patent No. 263,726, dated September 5, 1882. Application filed May 12, 1882. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, \VILLIAM J. RILEY, of

. Kansas City, in the county of Jackson, in the State of Missouri, have invented a new and Im- 5 proved Instrument for the use of Brakemen and others in Coupling Cars; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of l 1 reference marked thereon and making a part of this specification. Figure 1 represents the instrument attached to the arm as in actual use. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the instrument divested of 1 the sheath and hand-leather.

Fig. 3 represents a top view of the instrument divested of sheath and hand-leather. Fig. 4 is a View of the hand-leather detached.

The nature of my invention consists in proriding an instrument to be attached to the under part of the forearm of the brakeman for use in coupling cars, so as not to interfere with the use of the hand or arm, in which instrument a sliding rod of iron--a main part 2 5 thereot-can be easily drawn forward a proper length beyond the hand and used to holdthe link while the coupling is performed, and then as easily returned to its sheath along the lower forearm.

To enable others to make and use my ininvention, I proceed to describe its construction and operation.

I construct an iron rod abouta foot in length, oue'quarter of an inch in diameter, furnished at one end with a ball about twice the diameter of the rod, and at a half-inch from the other end filed evenly down to halt the thickness of the rod, so as to form ashoulder, and sloped toward the ball end smoothly for an inch and 40 a halt, the end beyond the shoulder to be filed into a conical shape. A B shows this rod. To receive this rod and hold it in place a metal plate (represented by O D) is provided, about five inches long and from one-half inch in the narrow part to two and a halt. inches wide in the broader part. The broader partis curved to suit the lower fleshy part of the hand, or, rather, the wrist, where it fits. Two lugs, ears, or projections about half an inch high (marked L and M) are perforated to receive the rod. a,

b, and c are buttons on which to fasten the to press slightly against the shoulder in the back part of the lug L, and so as to press with some force against the iron rod A B to steady the rod and keep it in place.

G H (shown in Fig. 1) is a leather sheath for the rod A B when not in actual use. On the side of the metal plate next the hand it reaches forward. to the lug M, where it is securely riveted to the plate. A flap opens on the outside by means ofthe buttons 0 and b.

E F is the hand-leather, in which O-represents a hole for the thumb. The wide arms of E F button in front of the thumb on the button a, while the narrow arms button to b and c.

Theinstrument when sheathed along the arm is as shown in Fig. 3. Taking hold of the ball of the red A B it is-pulled out till stopped by the shoulder at the other end, when it appears as in Fig. 1.

This invention is valuable and important in these respects: First, it is convenient, can be always worn while on duty, and does not form an incumbrance in the use of the hand for other purposes; second, itslips in and out with freedom at the will of the coupler, yet is secure from dropping out and beinglost; third, should it be caught between draw-heads of cars a quick jerk detaches the rod completely without injury to the instrument, since it can be picked up and replaced at will.

WhatIclaim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The rod of metal with the ball upon. one end and filed to a shoulder a short distance from the other end, in combination with the metal hand-plate and steel spring described herein, the whole forming a new, complete, and useful instrument or machine for the use of men engaged in coupling cars.

WILLIAM J. RILEY. In presence of- ORWELL T. KNOX, JOHN W. RUGKER.

the plate (J D by the rivet d, and bent so as 

